1 in 3 Pakistanis (34%) believe in Meritocracy in the country; say it is very much possible for a child born in a poor family to become rich if he/she works hard enough. 14% say otherwise.

According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup & Gillani Pakistan, 1 in 3 Pakistanis (34%) believe in Meritocracy in the country; say it is very much possible for a child born in a poor family to become rich if he/she works hard enough. 14% say otherwise.

A nationally representative sample of men and women across the four provinces was asked, “To what extent do you think it is possible for a child born in a poor family to become rich if he/she works hard enough?” In response, 34% said very much possible, 25% said somewhat possible, 25% said very little possibility and 14% said not possible at all. 2% did not know or wish to respond.

Trend Analysis: The question was previously asked in 2009. In 2009, 30% said very much possible, 28% said somewhat possible, 20% said very little possibility and 14% said not possible at all. 8% did not know or wish to respond. Since 2014, there has been a 10% decline in the proportion of Pakistanis who believe there is a lot of possibility for children born in poor families to become rich if they work hard enough. Meanwhile, there has been a rise of 8% in the proportion of Pakistanis who say it is not possible at all.